2009 Annual Conference - Thursday Schedule

Presentations and Downloads • Thursday Evening Event

Thursday Conference Schedule

8 - 9 a.m. - Registration and Exhibits Open

9 - 10:30 a.m. - Keynote Address

What Women Want

Elisabeth Sherwin is the kick-off keynote speaker to the 24th annual conference: Foundations for the Future. Sherwin's presentation will describe some of the major differences between how men and women with TBI are treated. Sherwin states, "Inherent in the concept of respect is the notion that all – men and women – are equally valued. This value should translate into equal treatment, but for a long time this has not been the case for women who are living with TBI." The purpose of this lecture is to clarify the implications of this unequal treatment and highlight areas where this can be inexpensively corrected.

10:30 - 11 a.m. - Break and Exhibits Open

11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Breakout Sessions I

1. Vocational Rehabilitation, Past, Present and Future
   Connie Giles, Vocational Rehabilitation Field Director, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Rehabilitation Services
   The Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program continues to be a resource persons with brain injury could use to help themselves with employment concerns. This session will cover the latest strategies for skills acquisition and business partnerships that the VR program is using to help its consumers.
   
   
2. Introduction to Illness Management and Recovery Concepts
   Anne Barnwell
   Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) is one of the evidence-based practices for working with individuals with a major mental illness in Minnesota. IMR is a carefully structured curriculum that teaches the concepts associated with understanding mental illness, setting a recovery goal and working towards an improved quality of life in a step by step basis. This session will introduce IMR as a new tool for Brain Injury Professionals that incorporates all of the strategies useful in teaching individuals who have experienced a brain injury.
   
   
3. Clinical Applications of Functional Brain Imaging Technologies
   William Sheehan, MD, Medical Director, Sheehan Neuroscience
   This session covers single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), a technique used to obtain tomographic images of the three-dimensional distribution of radiopharmaceutical. Hear about the feasibility and advantages of using Brain SPECT imaging as a sensitive, inexpensive and effective means of recognizing perfusion deficits associated with TBI. SPECT documents perfusion effects, which correlate much better with brain function and shows potentially reversible changes; whereas a CT or an MRI only allows visualization of tissue where cell death has occurred.
   
   
4. And What Women Need
   Elisabeth Sherwin, Ph.D.
   This session will further elaborate on the challenges facing women with TBI and will outline preliminary efforts to address these challenges. The goal of this session is to share with, and elicit information from, the audience, to identify further areas for progress, and discover grassroots efforts already in place.
   
   
5. Domestic Assault and Strangulation and the Potential for Cerebral Anoxia
   Mary Vignola, RN, Hennepin County Medical Center Emergency Department
   Every day in the U.S., domestic assault happens every 8 seconds. At some point in their lives, approximately one out of every four American women (26 percent) report that they have been physically abused by a husband or boyfriend. This session takes a closer look at the correlation between strangulation in a domestic assault and fatality of the victim. Discussion topics include: Possible medical results of strangulation; other injuries that can be sustained during a violent assault; why this crime is now a felony; and how various medical, legal and judicial personnel can help ensure that these type of cases are appropriately managed from the time of the assault to post injury.
   
   
6. Conceptualizing Brain Injury: How should Professionals Counsel People to Think About Themselves After Brain Injury
   Robert Karol, Ph.D., Director of Psychology/Neuropsychology and Brain Injury Services, Bethesda Hospital
   There has been an evolution in the way professionals think about disability and brain injury. Yet, the message people receive is inconsistent and many are left with an altered self image. This session will challenge professionals on how to think about disability and brain injury to give people a more empowered view.
   

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12:15 - 1:15 p.m. - Lunch

 

1:15 - 2:30 p.m. - Breakout Session II

1. County Long-Term Waiver Services – What is Available?
   Carol Evenson, County Case Manager, Polk County Social Services
   This session contains information on Long-Term Care screenings for services funded by the waivers, Personal Care Attendant services (PCAs), available services and eligibility for waivers, case management and the search for resources in Greater Minnesota. Time will be allotted for participants to discuss the current system, whether it effectively meets individuals' needs, what they see as possible improvements and what the services should look like. The participants' suggestions will be compiled and given to the DHS TBI Advisory Committee for consideration. Bring your ideas from your area of expertise.
   
   
2. Love is Cheaper than Prozac: Romantic and Sensual Citizens with Injured Brains
   Geoff Garwick LP, MA, Ph.D., FAAIDD,Clinical Psychologist, Ramsey County Mental Health Center; Barnett (Bud) Rosenfield, Supervising Attorney, Minnesota Disability Law Center
   This session will cover how the brain processes romantic and sensual decision making (self-control or lack thereof) as well as staff training on how to encourage positive friendship, romance and sensuality. An overview of relevant laws and legal issues will be discussed and include: a framework for discussing rights and restrictions, civil rights versus patient/service rights, criminal laws, commitment procedures, and the impact of guardianship. Time permitting, hypothetical cases will be reviewed.
   
   
3. The Role of Oxygen in Traumatic Brain Injury
   Gaylan L. Rockswold, MD, Ph.D., Chief of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center
   This session will focus on describing the role of oxygen as it relates to the care of the critically ill traumatic brain injury patient. Following this program, the participant should be able to discuss the pathophysiology of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the role oxygen plays, review recent literature regarding the application of supernormal amounts of oxygen in the management of TBI and explain the management of oxygen delivery to the TBI patient.
   
   
4. Consumer Panel — Ever Closer to the Mainstream
   Julie Zalleck
   Julie Zalleck will discuss how she acquired her “moderately severe” TBI and the ensuing changes and challenges she has faced in coming to terms with her significant injury. In learning to accept her life for what it is, Julie is getting closer to two things she has long desired: close personal relationships and employment, which she hopes will lead to a substantial career.
   
   
5. Falls and Traumatic Brain Injury: Recent Findings and Initiatives at the Centers for Disease Control
   Marlena Wald, MLS, MPH
   In the June issue of the Journal of Safety Research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study showing that in 2005 traumatic brain injuries due to falls caused nearly 8,000 deaths and 56,000 hospitalizations among Americans aged 65 and older. Marlena Wald, one of the authors of this study, will present findings from this work, as well as other new CDC TBI projects regarding seniors.
   
   
6. The ABC’S of Adult Basic Education
   Lori Leininger, CBIS, Robbinsdale Adult Academic Program
   Do you have a client that has survived a stroke or traumatic brain injury and wants to learn to read again or has trouble understanding what they read? Do you have a participant in your program that has difficulty with mathematical concepts, oral and/or written communication skills? If you answered yes, this session will cover the educational opportunities ABE has to offer. A panel of adult basic education students also will be on hand to share their classroom experiences.
   

2:30 - 3:15 p.m. - Break and Exhibits Open

3:15 - 4:30 p.m. - Breakout Session III

1. Foundations for the Future: Advocating for Change
   Marcia Avner, Public Policy Director Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
   This interactive session will build participants’ understanding of the value of nonprofit engagement in public policy. The opening presentation will highlight nonprofit accomplishments, analyze the stakes as legislators and local governments struggle with competing priorities and limited resources and make the case for the power of a collective voice for the people we serve. Much of this session will focus on how to establish strategic relationships with elected officials and communicate effectively with decision makers. The professionals at the conference have information and stories that need to be part of public dialogue. If we don’t serve as a resource to our elected officials, their debates and decisions will not be fully informed.
   
   
2. Acute Management of Severe TBI: Using Protocols to Deliver Best Practice Patient Care
   Carol Ann Smith, RN, CNRN, Program Coordinator, Traumatic Brain Injury Center at Hennepin County Medical Center; Kelly L. White, Senior Staff Nurse, Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, Hennepin County Medical Center
   Do you ever wonder what happened to your patient when he or she was first injured? This session will focus on the acute management of the severely injured adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient in the ED and ICU phases of care. It will include types of TBI (such as epidural and subdural hematomas, intraparenchymal bleeds, and subarachnoid hemorrhage), primary and secondary brain injury, cerebral spinal fluid drainage and monitoring of intracranial pressure and cerebral tissue oxygen. The session also will cover management options for increased intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte balance as well as national evidence-based management guidelines.
   
   
3. Practical Strategies for Behaviors
   Jodi Greenstein, Behavioral Analyst, Courage Center; Jennifer Kempenich, Behavioral Analyst, Courage Center; Jenniel Lee-Burns, Behavioral Analyst, Courage Center; Holly Roos, Behavioral Services, Courage Center
   Staff from Courage Center’s Behavior Services department will share information with the audience regarding the use of behavior programs, visual aides and documentation tools to help address behaviors commonly seen following TBI, as well as examples used in practice.
   
   
4. Consumer Panel — Parents with Brain Injury Speak Out: Raising Our Children
   Pat Winick; Mary Krueger; Bonnie Markham
   A panel of individuals who have sustained brain injuries discuss the challenges and need for appropriate supports and strategies in raising children to grow into healthy, responsible adults.
   
   
5. Service Animals and Brain Injury
   John W. Johnson, Options CIL
   Service animals are often used by persons with brain injury. In this session, participants will learn uses for service animals and the rules and rights of persons with service animals in multiple settings including: the community, housing, education, entertainment venues, religious settings and in business. The session will cover the care of service animals to retain their 'trained skill sets.' Some examples of service animals will be shown.
   
   
6. I'm Sober, Now What? Strategies, Resources, and Tools to Help
   Annette Pearson, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Vinland National Center
   Getting sober is the easy part of recovery; staying sober is the challenge. This session will offer strategies, resources and tools for families and professionals who are helping individuals with brain injury and want to assist them with their goal of staying sober.

4:30 - 6 p.m. - Thursday Evening Special Presentation and Reception

A Story of Hope and Recovery: Music and Video with Special Guest Jason Crigler, Famed New York Guitarist

Please join us for a very special event featuring Jason Crigler as he discusses his unforgettable journey back to the New York City music scene. Crigler's story is one of inspiration and hope and will be presented through film footage from Eric Daniel Metzgar's documentary, Life. Support. Music. and personal accounts by his sister, Marjorie. A live mini concert by Crigler will follow, featuring music from his new CD, The Music of Jason Crigler, including the song, "The Books on the Shelf" which deals specifically with his recovery.

Presentations and Downloads • Thursday Evening Event